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Jeff Cogen
Cogen in 2012
Chairman of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners
In office
April 2010 – September 2013
Preceded byJana McLellan (interim)[1]
Succeeded byMarissa Madrigal
Member of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners from the 2nd District
In office
2006–2010
Preceded bySerena Cruz[2]
Succeeded byLoretta Smith[3][4]
Personal details
BornJeffrey Scott Cogen
(1962-01-14) January 14, 1962 (age 64)
Germany
PartyDemocratic
EducationBrown University (BA)
University of California, Los Angeles (JD)
ProfessionLawyer, businessman, politician

Jeffrey Scott Cogen (born January 14, 1962)[5][6] is an American businessman, lawyer, and former politician in the U.S. state of Oregon. He served as chairman of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners from 2010 to 2013. From 2016 to 2019, he was Executive Director of Impact NW, a social service and anti-poverty organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon.[7]

Early life and career

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Jeff Cogen was born on an American military base in Germany and grew up in Miami, Florida,[8] with his parents and brother. In high school, Cogen was a member of the debate team and earned the title of Top Individual Speaker at the Florida State Debate Championship. Cogen attended Brown University, where he received a B.A. degree in Political Science. He then earned a J.D. degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.[9]

Cogen practiced law for four years in San Francisco, California,[10] before relocating to Portland, Oregon, with his wife, Lisa, in 1992. In Portland, they co-founded the city's first certified organic bakery, the Portland Pretzel Company.[11] Cogen served as president of the business, which grew to employ a dozen people by early 1996.[10]

Political career

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Cogen served as communications director for the Multnomah Commission on Children and Families. He later joined the board for Hands on Greater Portland, a nonprofit coordinating local volunteer initiatives, and was elected board president.[12]

Cogen entered Portland politics in 1999 when he joined the staff of former Multnomah County Chair Beverly Stein. He subsequently moved to Portland city hall, and in 2003 he was named chief of staff to Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman.[9] In 2006, Cogen was elected to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners[13] as Commissioner for District 2, representing North and Northeast Portland.

In March 2010, Multnomah County Chair Ted Wheeler resigned from the Board of County Commissioners following his appointment as Oregon State Treasurer after the death of incumbent Ben Westlund.[14] The board selected Cogen as Multnomah County Chair, effective April 1, to complete the remainder of Wheeler's term.[15][16] In May 2010, Cogen was elected to a full four-year term as Multnomah County Chair,[17] taking office on January 6, 2011.[18]

Projects and initiatives

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Cogen in 2011

During his tenure on the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, Cogen focused on public health, social services, and county infrastructure.

In 2009, Cogen's office launched the Multnomah County CROPS Farm, converting surplus county property in Troutdale, Oregon, into a two-acre farm to grow produce for the Oregon Food Bank.[19] The following year, the county and the City of Portland partnered to open the Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services, providing centralized legal, law enforcement, and counseling resources for survivors.[20][21] By early 2013, the center's caseload had grown from roughly 2,000 women served in its first year to about 3,000 in its second; that February, Cogen joined U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and other local officials at the center to urge the U.S. House of Representatives to reauthorize the federal Violence Against Women Act after the Senate passed its version by a bipartisan 78–22 vote.[22] In 2011, Cogen coordinated with city and state agencies, alongside Central City Concern, to open a 16-bed Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Center in Northeast Portland to serve low-income and homeless individuals.[23][24]

Cogen advanced several environmental and public health policies. In October 2011, the Multnomah County Board of Health adopted his proposal to restrict the sale of reusable beverage containers containing Bisphenol A (BPA).[25][26] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration instituted a similar nationwide ban for baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012.[27] In 2012, Cogen directed the Multnomah County Health Department to study the health impacts of coal exported by rail through the county. The resulting 2013 report identified potential respiratory and cardiovascular risks associated with coal dust and diesel exhaust emissions.[28][29]

In infrastructure and public management, Cogen supported the June 2012 board resolution authorizing the $10.4 million sale of the county-owned Morrison Bridgehead site to Melvin Mark Development Company for the James Beard Public Market project.[30][31] Later that year, the board referred a measure to the ballot to establish a permanent library district for the Multnomah County Library. Voters approved the measure in November 2012, replacing the previous temporary tax levy system with a permanent taxing district to stabilize library funding.[32][33][34][35]

In early 2013, the county enacted a firearms safety ordinance co-sponsored by Cogen and Commissioner Deborah Kafoury. The ordinance restricted the possession of loaded firearms in public places, regulated firearm discharge, and required owners to report stolen firearms within 48 hours.[36][37] In April 2013, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office implemented a policy developed with Cogen's office to stop honoring federal immigration holds (I-247 detainers) for individuals cleared of low-level misdemeanor booking charges.[38][39][40][41] In June 2013, Cogen signed an executive rule requiring the inclusion of gender-neutral bathrooms in all new and remodeled county-owned buildings.[42][43][44][45]

2013 controversy and resignation

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In 2013, Cogen admitted to an extramarital affair with a policy advisor in the Multnomah County Health Department following public allegations.[46] The policy advisor resigned under pressure from the county health department regarding a conflict of interest.[47] Cogen initially rejected calls for his resignation, surviving a July 24 vote by his four fellow county commissioners.[13][47] On September 6, 2013, he announced his resignation, concluding his term in office on September 16.[48][13] He was succeeded as county chair by his chief of staff, Marissa Madrigal.[49]

Post-political career

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Cogen joined Impact NW, a Portland-based social service and anti-poverty organization, as managing director in January 2015, working alongside longtime director Susan Stoltenberg.[7] In June 2016, he was appointed executive director, taking over from Stoltenberg on July 1; at the time, Impact NW had roughly 400 employees and an annual budget of $13.5 million and provided services to low-income children, families, seniors, and adults with disabilities.[7][50] He held the position until April 2019.[7][50]

Cogen's tenure at Impact NW coincided with a period of significant financial strain at the organization. Willamette Week reported in 2017 that Impact NW had posted operating losses of $817,000 in 2015 and $1.2 million in 2016 and remained behind budget for the current year; the county, which supplied most of the organization's funding, had begun requiring monthly financial reports after raising oversight concerns. Cogen said Impact NW had cut its management team, moved its office out of downtown, and trimmed expenses in response.[51] When Cogen stepped down in 2019, Impact NW said he had fulfilled his mandate to return the organization to financial health, and he was succeeded as executive director by Andy Nelson.[52] Cogen also took on board leadership roles during this period, including as board chair of the Portland Human Rights Commission and of a state transportation electrification commission, according to Impact NW.[53]

In February 2020, Cogen filed his candidacy with the Oregon Secretary of State to run in the 2020 Democratic primary to succeed retiring state Representative Alissa Keny-Guyer in Oregon's 46th House district.[54][55] He was defeated in the May 2020 primary election, placing second to Wlnsvey Campos.[56]

In the years that followed, Cogen trained as a facilitator through InnerTrek, a Portland-area program that prepares practitioners for Oregon's regulated psilocybin services program, established by a 2020 ballot measure.[57] According to his professional website, he now offers individual and group psilocybin sessions in the Portland area.[58]

Personal life

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Cogen lives in Northeast Portland with his wife, Lisa.[11] In July 2017, Cogen suffered a moderate stroke.[59]

References

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  1. ↑ "Local Elected Officials (County, Metro & City) (March 28, 2010)". Archived from the original on March 28, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Multnomah County Government (November 9, 2005)". Archived from the original on November 9, 2005. Retrieved November 9, 2005.
  3. ↑ Loretta Smith Oral History Interview
  4. ↑ "Board of County Commissioners (September 9, 2011)". Archived from the original on September 19, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2011.
  5. ↑ Slovic, Beth (March 24, 2012). "Pike Place-style market is on table". The Oregonian.
  6. ↑ United States Public Records, 1970-2009 (Florida, Oregon, 1984-2007)
  7. 1 2 3 4 Jaquiss, Nigel (July 12, 2016). "Jeff Cogen Returns, in a Job That Depends on Multnomah County". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  8. ↑ Hannah-Jones, Nikole. "Multnomah County Chairman Jeff Cogen credits upbringing for his devotion to diversity". The Oregonian.
  9. 1 2 "Multnomah County Elections Voters' Pamphlet, May 2010". Multnomah County Elections.
  10. 1 2 Leeson, Fred (January 28, 1996). "Success with a twist". The Oregonian. p. C4.
  11. 1 2 Bayer, Israel. "A talk with Multnomah County Chairman Jeff Cogen on what's wrong, what's right, and what could be". Street Roots.
  12. ↑ "Trail Blazers Heart of the Community Awards Award Recipients". nba.com.
  13. 1 2 3 Tims, Dana (September 17, 2013). "Cogen clears out before last day". The Oregonian. p. B3. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  14. ↑ Fought, Tim (March 9, 2010). "Ted Wheeler named new Oregon treasurer". KGW. Associated Press. Archived from the original on June 7, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  15. ↑ Hannah-Jones, Nikole (March 16, 2010). "Portland: Cogen will finish out county chairman term". The Oregonian – via NewsBank.(subscription may be required or content may be available in libraries)
  16. ↑ Pitkin, James (March 15, 2010). "Jeff Cogen to Take Over Next Month as Multnomah County Chair". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Jeff Cogen elected Multnomah County chairman; Karol Collymore and Loretta Smith in runoff for District 2 seat". The Oregonian. May 18, 2010. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Jan. 6, 2011 Meeting of the Board of Multnomah County Commissioners Agenda". Multnomah County.
  19. ↑ Hannah-Jones, Nikole. "Garden benefiting food bank planned at old Multnomah County Poor Farm". The Oregonian.
  20. ↑ Brettman, Allan (September 3, 2010). "Portland's new domestic-violence center brings services under one roof". The Oregonian.
  21. ↑ "Gateway Center for Domestic Violence Services". Multnomah County. Archived from the original on 2013-04-16.
  22. ↑ "Chair Jeff Cogen joins Sen. Jeff Merkley and other officials to urge U.S. House passage of the Violence Against Women Act". Multnomah County. February 20, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  23. ↑ Joseph, Andrew (June 11, 2011). "New mental health center in Northeast Portland will help fill gap for people in crisis". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  24. ↑ Cutti, Jaymee. "Mental Health Crisis Center Opens". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  25. ↑ Baer, April. "Multnomah County Bans BPA". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2014-05-16. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  26. ↑ "Multnomah County Board of Commissioners passes ban on sale of some products with Bisphenol A".
  27. ↑ Tavernise, Sabrina. "F.D.A. Makes It Official: BPA Can't Be Used in Baby Bottles and Cups". The New York Times.
  28. ↑ Stewart, Bonnie. "Multnomah County Begins Health Study On Coal Export Risk". Earthfix.
  29. ↑ "The Human Health Effects of Rail Transport of Coal Through Multnomah County, Oregon" (PDF). Multnomah County Health Department. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  30. ↑ Mayer, James (June 24, 2012). "Multnomah County approves public market land deal". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Board finalizes sale of Morrison Bridgehead; public market moves a step closer". Multnomah County. June 14, 2012.
  32. ↑ "Multnomah County Library Factsheet". multcolib.org.
  33. ↑ "Library Measure 26-143 passes, creating stable, dedicated funding district for county libraries". Multnomah County Library. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  34. ↑ Giegerich, Andy (August 2, 2012). "Multnomah County takes library district to voters". Portland Business Journal. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  35. ↑ Law, Steve (November 6, 2012). "Multnomah County residents favoring library district". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on November 12, 2012. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  36. ↑ Tims, Dana (April 25, 2013). "Multnomah County commissioners, over objections from some, approve new gun-control ordinance". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  37. ↑ "Multnomah County Board unanimously approves gun safety ordinance". Multnomah County. April 18, 2013.
  38. ↑ Newcomb, Alyssa. "Oregon Sheriff May Release Undocumented Imm". ABC News.
  39. ↑ Law, Steve (March 28, 2013). "Sheriff considers dropping ICE holds on some people". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015.
  40. ↑ Tims, Dana (April 4, 2013). "Multnomah County sheriff will change immigration-hold policy starting April 15". The Oregonian.
  41. ↑ "Resolution in support of Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Revised Plan for 1-247 Immigration Detainers". Multnomah County.
  42. ↑ Tims, Dana (June 11, 2013). "Multnomah County becomes one of first in nation to require gender-neutral bathrooms for transgender users". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  43. ↑ Jones, Saeed. "Today, Multnomah County In Oregon Will Begin Requiring Gender-Neutral Bathrooms". Buzzfeed LGBT.
  44. ↑ "Multnomah County increases availability of gender-neutral restrooms in its buildings". Multnomah County. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  45. ↑ Cisneros, Sergio. "Multnomah County To Require 'Gender-Neutral' Bathrooms". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2014-10-19. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  46. ↑ Tims, Dana (July 17, 2013). "Jeff Cogen, Multnomah County board chairman, admits to affair with policy adviser". The Oregonian. p. B1. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  47. 1 2 "Jeff Cogen says he won't resign, survives vote by Multnomah County commissioners that he step down". OregonLive.com. Retrieved 2017-06-20.
  48. ↑ Tims, Dana (September 7, 2013). "Cogen quits; shuffle starts – Jeff Cogen's resignation elevates his aide and sets up a scramble for the county chair". The Oregonian. p. 1. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  49. ↑ Tims, Dana (September 17, 2013). "Marissa Madrigal takes oath as county chair, replacing Jeff Cogen". The Oregonian. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
  50. 1 2 Smith, Emily E. (July 12, 2016). "Former Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen takes job as Impact NW executive director". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
  51. ↑ "A Prominent Nonprofit Run By a Former Multnomah County Chairman Continues to Struggle". Willamette Week. April 12, 2017. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Impact NW names Andy Nelson as new Executive Director". Impact NW. March 20, 2019. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Impact NW & YWCA Announce Partnership Updates". Impact NW. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  54. ↑ Monahan, Rachel (February 12, 2020). "Former Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen Is Preparing to Run for State Representative". Willamette Week. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Candidate Information: Jeff Cogen". Oregon Secretary of State: Elections Division. February 18, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Oregon Secretary of State Election Results - May 19, 2020 Primary Election" (PDF). Oregon Secretary of State. May 19, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  57. ↑ Selsky, Andrew; Corder, Mike (March 12, 2023). "Oregon just licensed its first class of 'facilitators' to accompany patients on psychedelic 'magic mushroom' trips". Associated Press. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Psilocybin Facilitator – Jeff Cogen". Jeff Cogen. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  59. ↑ Matsumoto, Samantha (July 27, 2017). "Former Multnomah County chair Jeff Cogen suffers stroke". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2017-08-10.
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